By Jonathan Elkins
During social isolation, I’ve found myself walking to exercise more consistently. One of my favorite ways to keep myself entertained while I walk, or run is to listen to audiobooks. I recently discovered that listening to books while walking helps me keep a steady pace and maintain my concentration, which contrasts from the bursts of energy that music offers me. Whether you’re running, walking, or cleaning, I have three recommendations for audiobooks that have helped me maintain my motivation and focus.
- “Living with a Seal”
This book was both written and narrated by Jesse Itzler. Jesse is a music producer, business owner, and avid runner who enlists the help of a Navy Seal in order to help drive him to new personal and professional heights. The book consists of the experiences Jesse and his family shared with Navy Seal David Goggins during his one month stay with the Itzler family. David is a well renowned ultra-distance runner, Navy recruiter, and former special forces operator. The entire book entails David getting Jesse into a mindset of never allowing himself to be comfortable. David’s approaches vary from spontaneous burpee contests to running in sub-zero temperatures and everything in-between. Jesse’s voice and relentless enthusiasm is what really made this book one of my absolute favorites. - “Born a Crime”
I have been a fan of the author of this book, Trevor Noah, for a long time. His stand-up comedy has been one of my favorites. His New York Times bestselling book covers his life from childhood until the beginning of his career in the United States. As someone who had very little knowledge about South Africa, this book was incredibly eye-opening. Trevor does a fantastic job making the cultural and political history of South Africa interesting and poignant. I think that while the content of “Born a Crime” is great on its own merit, Trevor’s narration brings to life aspects of his story that really make the listener feel as though they are grounded in what’s happening from start to finish. - “Can’t Hurt Me”
This book stands not only as my favorite audiobook, but as my favorite book overall. “Can’t Hurt Me” was written by David Goggins, the Navy Seal featured in “Living with a Seal”. It was Jesse Itzler’s portrayal of David that really got me hooked on the controlled chaos that is David’s way of living. “Can’t Hurt Me” is an autobiography that unflinchingly conveys the difficulties and traumas that David has endured all his life. David Goggins has spent decades attempting to become the strongest willed man on Earth by subjecting himself to every obstacle and trial he could find. David describes his experiences in Seal training, Hell Week, Special Forces, and ultra-distance running. Despite these incredible feats one of the main themes of this book is failure and the ability to accept that failure and to try again.
These three books have become mainstays in my library and some of my favorite pieces of media. I think the common factor these books share is that they are each narrated by their respective authors. Each one of these authors would seem to be completely different on a surface level, but they each share a certain determination and strength that really pulled me in and invested me in each of their stories.
